KTM boss Neumeister says Acosta’s Ducati move was never about money

Pedro Acosta’s move from Red Bull KTM to Ducati is already shaping the MotoGP paddock narrative, and KTM’s leadership has offered rare insight into how the negotiations played out. Speaking at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg ahead of the Austrian races, KTM managing director Gottfried Neumeister reflected on Acosta’s decision after a career spent entirely with the Austrian manufacturer.

Acosta’s rise has been rapid: after winning the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2020, he moved to Moto3 where he became champion immediately. He then took the Moto2 title in 2023, and since stepping into MotoGP in 2024 he has finished his first two seasons as World Championship sixth and fourth respectively. Ahead of the Austrian weekend, he was fifth in the standings.

Neumeister said he tried to keep Acosta at KTM, but the key message from the rider was not about money. “I have tried to convince Pedro to stay with us,” Neumeister said. “I still get goosebumps when I think about what he told me. He said it wasn’t about a million more or less.” According to Neumeister, Acosta pointed to examples of riders who had signed elsewhere for financial reasons despite starting the season on the best machine. Neumeister added that Acosta rejected that logic as inconsistent with his racing mindset.

The KTM executive also explained that Acosta’s priorities went beyond the immediate bike. Even if KTM had a “better 850,” Neumeister said Acosta viewed it as crucial—especially as a Spaniard—to be able to challenge Marc Marquez with the same weapon. Neumeister said he had no counter-arguments to that reasoning.

While Acosta will be leaving KTM after this season, Neumeister stressed that performance is not the work of one rider alone. “I will always feel the best when I see him,” he said, adding that meeting twice in life is part of the story and that Acosta gives his best for the team. Neumeister also described calling Pit Beirer after Misano because he was upset by what people were saying—namely that only Acosta could extract everything from the bike. “But it’s not only Pedro,” Neumeister said. “The situation is the way it is. If Pedro didn’t have a motorcycle that allows such results, he couldn’t deliver them either.” He underlined Acosta’s constant effort while insisting that a great rider still needs a team behind him.

Looking ahead, KTM confirmed that the next two years at Red Bull KTM will feature Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio instead of Acosta and Brad Binder. Neumeister said he is confident in the new lineup and that the team must be given stability. He suggested that changes may be needed internally to ensure the squad is positioned to fight for results, but he emphasized a long-term approach. “It’s not about half a year or a year; we have to improve constantly,” he said. Neumeister concluded that his belief is “100 percent” in both future riders and that ongoing work will be the foundation for success.